Thibault hired by Mystics

Mike Thibault landed another job in the WNBA on Tuesday when he was hired as head coach and general manager of the Washington Mystics.

Published December 19. 2012 12:01AM

Washington - Mike Thibault wasn't out of work for long ... and now he has two jobs.

Thibault, fired last month as head coach of the Connecticut Sun after leading them to eight WNBA playoff appearances in 10 seasons, was named head coach and general manager of the Washington Mystics on Tuesday.

He replaces former coach and GM Trudi Lacey, who was let go in September after the Mystics went 11-55 over the past two seasons.

"Mike Thibault has an exemplary track record in building and coaching successful teams," team president Sheila C. Johnson said in a statement released by the Mystics. "We are excited about him coming on board, and based on his experience and sustainable tenure in the WNBA, we are confident that he will establish a new era in Mystics basketball."

Thibault, a two-time WNBA Coach of the Year (2006 and 2008), took the Sun to the WNBA Finals in 2004 and 2005, but was let go for failing to deliver a championship.

Thibault went 206-134 in the regular season with the Sun. He needs six victories to pass former Houston Comets coach Van Chancellor to become the winningest coach in league history.

"I am extremely excited to be asked to lead the Washington Mystics into a new era that I believe will be extremely successful on and off the court," Thibault said. "Ted Leonsis, Sheila Johnson and all of their partners in Monumental Sports & Entertainment are making a commitment to me, the players and all of our fans and sponsors to re-dedicate the Mystics to being one of the WNBA's flagship organizations and I am ready to get started doing my part to make that happen."